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Border Reopening: NIS, NCS Await Directives at Seme
Twenty four hours after the formal reopening of four of the nation’s land borders, travellers at Seme border have not found it easy to cross to and fro as the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) claimed it had not been given the matching order.
DAILY ASSET, which monitored the situation at the border, learnt that hundreds of travellers, who had wanted to the cash-in on the opportunity, were stranded even as security was beefed up.
It was also observed that human and vehicular movement across the border post was restricted as the frontier remained under lock.
An official of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), who pleaded anonymity, said that security agencies at the border were still expecting official directives to reopen the border.
“We heard about the reopening of the four land borders from the news on Wednesday, but we are still waiting for directives from head office in Abuja.
“We cannot just open the border like that. As you can see, when the border was closed they introduced Joint Border Patrol which comprises of Army, Immigration, Police and Customs.
“Anytime they ask us to open the border, we will open it,” he said.
Movement restrictions and checking of goods and vehicles remained in place at more than 20 checkpoints mounted by Customs, Immigration and Police along Badagry Expressway.
Also, commercial activities were yet to pick up at the Seme market due to the continued closure of the border.
A trader at the popular Seme market, Mrs Funke Senapon, appealed to Federal Government to order the officials to reopen the border.
She said that residents and traders who were rejoicing about the news of the reopening were disappointed when they discovered that border had not been opened.
The Federal Government had on August 21, 2019, ordered the closure of Nigerian borders to curb smuggling of goods and weapons.
“The president has approved the reopening of four land borders, namely– Seme, South-West, Ilela, North West, Maigatari border in the North-West and North-Central and Mfum in the South-South.
“These four land borders will be opened immediately, while the remaining land borders are directed to be reopened on or before Dec. 31,’’ the minister told State House Correspondents in Abuja on Wednesday.
She said that Buhari also directed that while the borders were being reopened, the ban on the importation of rice, poultry and other products still subsisted and would be implemented by the border patrol team.
Meanwhile, Nigerians continued to give kudos to the Federal Government for re-opening some borders, in spite of the prevailing insecurity in parts of the country, believing that it would aid importation of stable goods into the county.
Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs Zainab Ahmed, had announced that President Muhammadu Buhari approved the immediate reopening of four land borders.
Ahmed said that Buhari also directed that while the borders were being reopened, the ban on the importation of rice, poultry and other products still subsist and would be implemented by the border patrol team.
Market Turnover will increase— NIS
The President, Nigerian Institute of Shipping (NIS), Capt. Tony Onoharigho, said the reopening of the nation’s land borders would lead to increased market turnover, with more goods coming into the country.
The reopening is coming 16 months after the Federal Government shut them on Aug. 21, 2019, to curb smuggling of goods and weapons.
Onoharigho, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, said that the opening of the borders was the right step to take, having been closed longer than expected.
“Though we know it was due to the procurement of arms and preventing banned goods from entering the country that the border was closed, it stayed longer than was expected.
“The opening of the border will be of benefit to the people of the south-west and south-south because the goods that will be coming in now will increase the market turnover and money in circulation.
“And when the goods flood the market, it will have a good effect on prices as it will come down and people will be able to afford them, because things are very difficult now in the country,” he said.
Deputy National President, Air Logistics, National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), Dr Segun Musa, also said the reopening was welcome.
He said that some people had been adversely affected by the closure and the reopening would see them picking up and strengthening their businesses.
Musa said that the border opening would also ensure that business communities in Nigeria participate and benefit from the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).
“I believe that the opening of the border has to do with the commencement of the AfCFTA, so that Nigeria will not be excluded in the trade agreement and this is a welcome development,” he said.
Ex-CBN Director Commends FG
A former Director, Budgetary Department, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Dr Titus Okunrounmu, yesterday commended the Federal Government for the reopening of four land borders.
The land borders approved by President Muhammadu Buhari for immediate reopening are; Seme border in the Southwest, Ilela border in the Northwest, Maigatari border in the North-West and North-Central, and Mfun border in the South-South.
Other land borders are to be opened before the end of the year.
“The reopening of the land borders is long overdue as Small and Medium Scale businesses that generate their income from export across African countries are badly affected,” he said.
It’s Timely – Don
The Prof. Mustapha Muktar of Economics Department, Bayero University, Kano, has said that the reopening of borders is timely, while maintaining the ban on rice importation should remain.
Muktar said this while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in a telephone interview yesterday in Abuja.
President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday directed the reopening of four border areas in the country.
The don said he was excited that the border reopening was announced with some regulations and restrictions of import of some items.
“I have been urging the government to maintain the ban on agricultural commodities and other basic necessary products that we have advantage of producing within the country.
“For the ban on importation of rice, I still support the government even if we cannot produce the sufficient quantity for our consumption, we can always improve and expand.
“If we don’t ban rice production, our farmers cannot improve as well as the economy.
“The government needs to sustain this effort so that our local production can thrive and also to protect the local industries that are engaged in rice chain production.
“And the only way to do that is to ban the importation of rice because the imported ones are relatively cheap in price and allowing such will kill the local rice production,” he explained.
He, however, urged government to give incentives for export in order to boost trading patterns and balance of payment in order to stabilise the exchange rate.
Muktar also enjoined the Federal Government to strengthen security at various borders to prevent smuggling of firearms into the country in an effort to protect lives and properties.
He emphasised the need for government to ensure strict compliance of its protocols and policies on the border reopening.
…Will Boost Business, Economic Activities – NECA
The Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) has said the reopening of the four borders will revive and boost business and economic activities while generating revenue to government coffers.
NECA’S Director-General, Dr Timothy Olawale, made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Lagos while commending the Federal Government for reopening the borders.
Olawale said that the re-opening of the borders was long expected, saying its closure brought untold hardship to many Nigerians, including a large number of informal-sector players, and individuals doing legitimate businesses across the borders.
According to him, this had resulted in unemployment and poverty.
“We commend the opening of four land borders by the government which had been closed to check the menace of smuggling goods and arms and ammunition into the country and protect local businesses, among other reasons.
“We note that the re-opening of these borders was a good development; Seme Border in the South-West, Ilela Border in the North-West, Mfun Border in the South-South and Maigatari Border also in the North-West, ” he said.
The Director-General also said that the border reopening will translate to a seamless implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), stem the tides of growing prices of goods and services, especially food components in the Composite Product Index in calculating the Inflation rate in the country.
“While we called for more developmental trade and foreign policies that will be friendly and in alignment with international treaties, consultation with critical stakeholders, especially the Organised Private Sector in policy formulation process of government at all levels, should be prioritised,” he said.
He said that in spite of the commendation, there was the need to consider some of the reasons why Nigeria closed its land borders, including curbing the importation of Coronavirus into the country.
He also noted that others included the fight against smuggling of rice and other goods; checkmating against human traffic; curtailing illegal importation of drugs, small arms and agricultural products into country from neighbouring West African nations.
Olawale, therefore, urged government to ensure that imported commodities must be thoroughly checked to prevent influx of contraband and harmful products into the country.
“The government should prioritise security going forward. It will be imperative to further equip security agencies, step up patrols in and around the border areas, and enhance the Nigeria Customs Service’s collaboration with local indigenes to facilitate effective policing of the borders.
“In the wake of the recent upsurge in COVID-19 cases in the country, the need to observe all health protocols for people coming into and going out of the country should be enforced strictly.
“Also, government should ensure that the country is not a dumping ground for imported food items and other materials, especially during the Christmas season,” he said.
By Mike Odiakose, Abuja
Immediate past governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello will spend the 2024 Christmas and 2025 New Year days in Kuje prison, Abuja, following refusal of his bail application by the Federal Capital Territory High Court.
Justice Maryann Anenih yesterday adjourned the case until Jan.
29, Feb. 25, and Feb. 27, 2025 for the continuation of the hearing.The former governor is standing trial, along with two others, in an N110 billion money laundering charge brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Justice Anenih had refused to grant a bail application filed by Bello, saying it was filed prematurely.
The judge admitted Umar Oricha and Abdulsalam Hudu, to bail in the sum of N 300 million each with two sureties.
Justice Anenih, while delivering a ruling said, having been filed when Bello was neither in custody nor before the court, the instant application was incompetent.
“Consequently, the instant application having been filed prematurely is hereby refused,” she said.
Recalling the arguments before the court on the bail application, the judge had said, “before the court is a motion on notice, dated and filed on Nov. 22.
“The 1st Defendant seeks an order of this honourable court admitting him to bail pending the hearing and determination of the charge.
“That he became aware of the instant charge through the public summons. That he is a two-term governor of Kogi State. That if released on bail, he would not interfere with the witnesses and not jump bail.”
She said the Defendant’s Counsel, JB Daudu, SAN, had told the court that he had submitted sufficient facts to grant the bail.
He urged the court to exercise its discretion judicially and judiciously to grant the bail.
Opposing the bail application, the Prosecution Counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, argued that the instant application was grossly incompetent, having been filed before arraignment.
He said it ought to be filed after arraignment but the 1st Defendant’s Counsel disagreed, saying there was no authority
“That says that an application can only be filed when it is ripe for hearing.”
Justice Anenih held that the instant application for bail showed that it was filed several days after the 1st defendant was taken into custody.”
Citing the ACJA, the judge said the provision provided that an application for bail could be made when a defendant had been arrested, detained, arraigned or brought before the court.
Bello had filed an application for his bail on November 22 but was taken into custody on November 26 and arraigned on Nov. 27.
From Jude Dangwam, Jos
Conference of Autochthonous Ethnic Nationalities Community Development Association (CONAECDA) has called on the federal government to intensify efforts in the resettlement of displaced persons in their ancestral homes.
The organization made this call at the end of its conference held in Jos, the Plateau State Capital weekend.
Thirty resolutions were passed covering security, economy, politics, governance, culture, languages, human rights and indigenous peoples’ rights among others.
The Conference President, Samuel Achie and Secretary Suleman Sukukum in a communique noted that the conference received and discussed reports from communities based on which resolutions were reached on securing, reconstruction, rehabilitation and returning communities displaced by violence across the Middle Belt.
“After considering the reports from communities displaced by violent conflicts, conference resolved, and called on government to focus on providing security to deter further displacements.
“Call on government to provide security to enable communities to return. Government and donor partners should assist in reconstructing and returning displaced communities,” the communique stated.
The GOC 3 Armoured Division Nigeria Army represented by Lt Col Abdullahi Mohammed said the Nigerian Army is committed to working closely with communities to achieve a crime-free society, urging communities to support them with credible information.
“Security is a collective effort, and we cannot do it alone, the community plays a crucial role in ensuring safety.
“We urge everyone here not to shield or protect individuals involved in criminal activities. Transparency and collaboration, together, with maximum cooperation, we can achieve peace, security, and prosperity for our society,” the GOC stated.
The National Coordinator of CONECDA, Dr. Zuwaghu Bonat in his address at the gathering noted that the theme of this year’s program, Returning, Resettling, and Rehabilitating Displaced Communities, was chosen as a wakeup call on the federal government.
He maintained that the organization is aware that President Bola Tinubu has expressed a commitment to ensuring that displaced communities return to their ancestral lands.
He said similarly, some state governments, including Plateau State, have set up committees to address the lingering matter.
The coordinator however cautioned, “It is critical that we avoid generalizations or profiling. For instance, Not all Muslims are involved in terrorism. The overwhelming majority of Muslims in Nigeria are peaceful and reject extremist ideologies.
“We also know that some terrorists exploit religion to mobilize support or rationalize their actions. However, their atrocities – slaughtering women, cutting open pregnant mothers, and killing children show a profound disregard for humanity and God. Normal human beings would not commit such acts.
“We must also be cautious about lumping banditry with terrorism. While statistics indicate that many bandits and kidnappers may share similar ethnic backgrounds, kidnapping has now evolved into a profit-driven enterprise. This distinction is vital to address the root causes effectively,” he stated.
The Governor of Plateau State, Caleb Mutfwang represented by his Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Middle Belt Nationalities, Hon Daniel Kwada noted that the conference was apt to addressed the various underlying issues bedeviling the region and its people.
“We in the Middle Belt have long been standing at the crossroads of Nigeria’s complex history. Despite our tireless efforts to stabilize this nation, we have faced immense challenges, including underdevelopment, security issues, and marginalization.
“Often, we are unfairly maligned, but gatherings like this offer a chance to change the narrative.
“Such conferences set the tone for better discussions. They allow us to drive processes that bring development, ensure security, and elevate our people to greater heights,” Mutfwang noted.
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has called on banks to reinforce their corporate governance principles and risk management frameworks to boost investor confidence during the ongoing recapitalisation exercise.
Dr Emomotimi Agama, Director-General, SEC, said this at the yearly workshop of the Capital Market Correspondents Association of Nigeria (CAMCAN) held in Lagos.
The theme of the workshop is: “Recapitalisation: Bridging the Gap between Investors and Issuers in the Nigerian Capital Market”.
Agama, represented by the Divisional Head of Legal and Enforcement at the SEC, Mr John Achile, stated that the 2024–2026 banking sector recapitalisation framework offers clear guidance for issuers while prioritising the protection of investors’ interests
He restated the commission’s commitment towards ensuring transparency and efficiency in the recapitalisation process.
The director-general stated that the key to bridging the gap between issuers and investors remained the harnessing of innovation for inclusive growth.
In view of this, Agama said, “SEC, through the aid of digital platform, is exploring the integration of blockchain technology for secure and transparent transaction processing to redefine trust in the market.”
He added that the oversubscription of most recapitalisation offers in 2024 reflects strong investor confidence.
To sustain this momentum, the director-general said that SEC had intensified efforts to enhance disclosure standards and corporate governance practices.
According to him, expanding financial literacy campaigns and collaborating with fintech companies to provide low-entry investment options will democratise access to the capital market.
He assured stakeholders of the commission’s steadfastness in achieving its mission of creating an enabling environment for seamless and transparent capital formation.
“Our efforts are anchored on providing issuers with clear guidelines and maintaining open lines of communication with all market stakeholders, reducing bureaucratic bottlenecks through digitalisation.
“We also ensure timely review and approval of applications, and enhancing regulatory oversight to protect investors while promoting market integrity,” he added.
Agama listed constraints to the exercise to include: addressing market volatility, systemic risks, limited retail participation as well as combating skepticism among investors who demand greater transparency and accountability.
He said: “We are equally presented with opportunities which include leveraging technology to deepen financial inclusion and enhance market liquidity.
“It also involves developing innovative financial products, such as green bonds and sukuk, to attract diverse investor segments.
“The success of recapitalisation efforts depends on collaboration among regulators, issuers, and investors.”
Speaking on market infrastructure at the panel session, Achile said SEC provides oversight to every operations in the market, ranging from technology innovations to market.
He stated that the commission is committed to transparency and being mindful of the benefits and risks associated with technology adoption.
Achile noted that SEC does due diligence to all the innovative ideas that comes into the market to ensure adequate compliance with the requirements.
On the rising unclaimed dividend figure, Achile blamed the inability of investors to comply with regulatory requirements and information gap.
He noted that SEC had done everything within its powers to ensure that investors receive their dividend at the appropriate time.
He, however, assured that the commission would continue to strengthen its dual role of market regulation and investor protection to boost confidence in the market.
In her welcome address, the Chairman of CAMCAN, Mrs Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma, said banks’ recapitalisation is not just a regulatory requirement, but an opportunity to rebuild trust, strengthen the capital market, and drive sustainable growth.
Joel-Nwokeoma stated that the recent recapitalisation in the banking sector had brought to the fore the need for a more robust and inclusive capital market.
She added that as banks seek to strengthen their balance sheets and improve their capital adequacy ratios, it is imperative to create an environment that fosters trust, transparency, and cooperation between investors and issuers.
The chairman called for collaboration to bridge the gap between investors and issuers to create a more inclusive and vibrant Nigerian capital market.She said: “we must work together to strengthen corporate governance and risk management practices in banks, enhance disclosure and transparency requirements for issuers.” NAN
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